INDIANAPOLIS — Vikings coach Brad Childress would like running back Adrian Peterson to slow down — off the football field.

In answering a question about how Peterson can get on the field more on third downs in 2009, Childress told reporters that the running back was "pulled in a lot of different directions, by his own admission."

Given his popularity coming out of the University of Oklahoma and after a brilliant rookie season, Peterson established himself as one of the NFL's most popular players.

"He literally could do an event and crisscross the United States and probably the globe every day and get paid astronomical amounts of money," Childress said. "But there's a price to pay for that in terms of wear and tear on your body and working out and that type of thing. I think he knows now having played 16 games (in a season) that he needs to rest.

"He needs to take care of the faculties that got him here, and I think he's doing a decent job of that."

Childress made clear that he did not believe Peterson's busy offseason schedule in 2008 affected him on the field, especially because Peterson didn't miss any games and led the league in rushing.

Childress was concerned about "the mental grind."

As for Peterson's assertion at the Pro Bowl that he would like to gain seven to 12 pounds this offseason, Childress said that wouldn't be a problem if "it's good weight."

The key, though, will be to make sure Peterson doesn't lose his explosiveness in the process.

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Briefly: Quarterback Gus Frerotte had a minor "clean-up" on one knee and soon will have one on the other.

Asked about right tackle, Childress said, "I think we've got to play better there. I don't think that's any secret."

On the importance of getting tight end Jim Kleinsasser back: "I want Jim to come back, and he knows that."

Childress said LB E.J. Henderson is doing "great."

"He probably could have played at the end of the year," Childress said. "But I think what ended up happening, it allowed him to go a little slower with his rehab, as opposed to feeling like there was a gun to his head to get back by this time."